Those visiting Disneyland in recent times may have encountered the Evil Queen, a character known for her fiery temperament, during their stay. However, a recent turn of events led to her departure from the theme park.
The actor known for portraying this iconic character has explained why Disney management decided to let her go, leaving fans of the Anaheim, California park lamenting the loss of one of its most engaging characters.
Sabrina Von Bogenberg, who became famous online for her portrayal of Snow White’s villain, discussed the reasons behind her dismissal in an interview with NewsNation.
Von Bogenberg noted that her firing wasn’t linked to her viral popularity, or at least not to her ‘knowledge.’ The actual reason involved a breach of one of Disney’s internal policies.
When asked if her internet fame was a factor in her termination, the actor stated: “If that is the case, they did not make that aware to me. But, you know, sometimes we don’t get the whole part of the story.”
Amidst speculation among Disney enthusiasts, Von Bogenberg clarified that her removal from the role was due to a minor rule violation.
“It came down to something I think a lot of people would be surprised about – really just something with breaking a rule,” she elaborated during the interview.
Pressed further about her infraction, she revealed that many park visitors had heard about her character being removed.
With her performance gaining attention on social media, numerous Disney fans approached her to inquire about her possible departure. Her response to these inquiries ultimately led to her dismissal.
Von Bogenberg recounted: “Guests approached me, after somehow being aware of it too, and a video of me, just not really disclosing anything but saying if guests want the Evil Queen around, go tell City Hall and make your voices known.”
“And ultimately, that was a rule broken.”
While this might appear as a harsh action against a popular employee, Disneyland has a history of enforcing strict rules to preserve the experience for the park’s numerous daily visitors.
These regulations include never pointing with a single finger, avoiding admitting ignorance to a guest’s question, and refraining from wearing more than one ring on each hand. Furthermore, only natural hair colors are allowed, and visible tattoos cannot be on the face, head, or neck, nor exceed the size of the individual’s fully extended hand.
Crucially, performers are expected to stay in character at all times. Therefore, encouraging visitors to lobby Disney for her continued employment likely wasn’t in line with the Evil Queen’s persona.